Transportation Improvement Program

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) provides a summary of current transportation projects underway within King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. These projects are funded with federal, state and local funds, including the most recent federal grants awarded through PSRC.

Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station

The 2019-2022 Regional TIP was adopted by PSRC's Executive Board in October 2018 and final state and federal approvals were received in January. Documentation for the 2019-2022 Regional TIP is below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we have a TIP?

The TIP is required under federal and state legislation. It is a useful way to ensure that transportation projects are meeting regional transportation, growth and economic development goals and policies, as well as clean air requirements.

How often is the TIP updated?

The TIP spans a four-year period and must be updated at least every two years. After public review and comment, the TIP is approved by the Regional Council’s Transportation Policy and Executive Boards before being submitted for further approvals to the Governor and ultimately the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In our region, a new TIP is created every two years, following the project selection process for the federal funds awarded through the Regional Council. Each TIP then goes through a major update once a year, as well as accepting minor amendments on a monthly basis. These amendments are described in greater detail here.

Is every transportation project in the TIP?

No. Most major projects are in the TIP, but not all are required to be. In order to qualify, projects must meet the following basic criteria:

A project is using federal and/or state funds, or

The project is funded locally AND is considered regionally significant, and

The project’s funds are scheduled for use within the four-year time span of the current TIP.

How are TIP projects reviewed?

Each project undergoes a comprehensive review by Regional Council staff to ensure it meets certain requirements:

Projects must be in, or be consistent with, the region’s long-range metropolitan transportation plan.

Projects must demonstrate that the funds being programmed are secured or there are reasonable expectations to acquire those funds.

If an existing or proposed roadway project is using federal funds, the roadway must also be part of the federally classified roadway system.

Projects are also evaluated to determine if they are incorporated in the current air quality conformity finding; projects cannot be included in the TIP until this step has been completed. The modeling for air quality conformity of the TIP occurs once a year, during the building of a new TIP or the annual update to the TIP. Conformity is described further here.

What information is in the TIP?

The TIP contains detailed information on each project, including the project title and description, the sponsoring agency, and the amount and source of funds currently programmed for each phase of the project. In addition to the list of projects, the TIP also contains the following information:

The policy framework containing the adopted policy guidance for the distribution of regionally managed federal funds.

A description of the project selection process for these funds.

A discussion of the interagency coordination and the public review process.